Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2014 23:07:04 +0200
Countries warn of risk of war as new Nile treaty delays
Countries that share the Nile waters on Monday warned that the region could
go to war unless a new treaty on the use of the Nile waters is drawn up.
By AGGREY MUTAMBO | Africa Review
07.10.2014
Countries that share the Nile waters on Monday warned that the region could
go to war unless a new treaty on the use of the Nile waters is drawn up.
Nile Basin countries have increased pressure on Egypt to get back to the
negotiating table for discussions on how the waters of the world's longest
river can be used.
On Monday, participants gathered at Nairobi's InterContinental Hotel for the
Fourth Nile Basin Development Forum warned the region might face conflicts
over water in future if a new agreement is not reached.
"We are hoping that cooperation around the Nile is going to increase
security and stability. The key words are equitable and responsible use of
the Nile resources.
"That is the only way we can do this peacefully. Otherwise if we don't do
it, we are going to be at war because of water," Prof Judi Wakhungu, the
Environment, Water and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary said.
The Nile Basin includes 11 countries that either use or are the source of
much of the river water. They are Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Egypt, Sudan,
Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC).
Together, they created the Nile Basin Initiative in 1999 to start
negotiations for a treaty that would lead to an "all-inclusive" use of the
river. Eritrea participates in the NBI as an observer.
Biggest share
Although the NBI was supposed to help reach the comprehensive framework
agreement (CFA) that would guide proper use of the waters, the riparian
states are concerned that Egypt is no longer willing to take part in
negotiations.
Egypt and Sudan have traditionally taken the biggest share of the Nile even
though they have the least percentage share of contribution to its waters.
This is because of two treaties signed in 1929 and in 1958 when most of the
riparian states except Ethiopia were colonies of Britain, Belgium and
France.
"We the emerging countries have said we do not recognise the 1929 and 1954
agreements because that prevented us from using the Nile water resources.
"We can argue that we as Kenyans can do anything we want with the water, but
we have to work cooperatively with our partners and we are confident that
this is the best way," Prof Wakhungu said.
About 25 dams are either under construction or have been planned by riparian
states along the Nile.
Egypt was represented at Monday's forum by its ambassador to Nairobi, Mr
Kadri Abdel-Motelib.
The CFA opened for signing in 2010 has only been ratified by two countries;
Rwanda and Ethiopia. Kenya says it will ratify the agreement before the end
of the year.
"It happens that all the 10 countries of the Nile Basin are in, except
Egypt. That is why we need Egypt so we have one Nile Basin. The vision is
clear that we have to use equitably and wisely, the water resources that we
have. In these times, all of us have to benefit from the Basin," Sudan's
Electricity minister Mutaz Abdalla Salim told reporters.
He is the chairperson of the Nile Council of Ministers.
"We are in the process of correcting the whole thing together, and we are in
good engagements to try and bring in Egypt and all other countries."
Six ratifications will be enough to bring the CFA into effect, but Egypt has
not signed the agreement.
http://www.ntvuganda.co.ug/sites/default/files/field/image/Nile%20Waters.gif
Nile Basin countries have increased pressure on Egypt to get back to the
negotiating table. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
(image/jpeg attachment: image003.jpg)